Menifee Independence Day Celebration

Story and Photos by David Baker

Like most of the population of Menifee, my family and I were present for the annual Menifee Independence Day Celebration and subsequent fireworks display. Some of the usual sights were the Cub Scouts of Pack 374, and the Sheriffs Department Mounted Posse, who had a very busy weekend by the way (click here for more info on that). At 3 years old, my youngest son Joshuah was very pleased, and maybe a little confused, when I not only allowed him to step off the curb as vehicles were going by but also to pick up candy off the ground, thrown to him by strangers, the prefect trinity of preschooler no-no's.

Midnight Ride

We got to the end of the parade route, had a nice picnic dinner to the sounds of Midnight Ride, a pretty decent cover band, consisting of Drummer Alejandro, Bassist/Vocalist Shawn, Guitarist Eddie, Lead Vocalist Trent. The crowd seemed to become a little more involved when they covered Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train". 

Ryder Lawrence age 7

Next we enjoyed Gale Webb's Extreme Sports Show. We've seen their act in years past. Our family favorite is always Ryder Lawrence, now 7 years old. We first saw him perform when he was 4. His dad has been riding BMX bikes for years and this apple did not fall far from the tree. At 7 this kid is more proficient than I ever could have claimed to be. To this day I have yet to even pop a wheelie.

To her credit Gale Webb has an inspiring story too. She was a skydiver 30 years ago whose parachute didn't open. She broke her neck and back, and was told she wouldn't walk again. She proved them wrong and went through years of physical therapy to relearn how to walk. While she was in recovery her best friend died of a drug overdose. She made a promise then to spread a just-say-no message wherever she goes. 

VFW Post 1956

As I walked around there were a number of different food vendors, and gift shops selling various gadgetry. Amid all the commercialism, however, there were a few noteworthy service organizations present as well. I saw the Sun City VFW Post 1956 collecting donations, the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard selling some of their holiday themed merchandise, the Faithful Servants Outreach collecting donations and painting faces. The Menifee Police Department was there to put on demonstrations, and Valleywide Recreation even did a cakewalk. Nearby I saw a Rock wall and line up of bounce houses. Through all of this hustle and bustle I was thankful to realize the meaning of the day was not lost.

No, they do not

I  began to see people decked in patriotic garb. I saw families embracing, people laughing, and even a group of boys breaking out into a spontaneous game of catch on the baseball field. To me that is what the holiday is about. Celebrating the freedoms that we have earned through generations of work and sacrifice. I am incredibly thankful.

The evening concluded with a wonderful fireworks display and a thrilling marshmallow fight out in left field. Thanks everyone for a great night.

There's something ironic when a group of Ozzy fans listens to Crazy Train in polite formation

First Annual Monument Park Community Neighborhood Watch Eat, Meet, and Greet

Photos and Story by David Baker

If you drove by Monument Ranch Park in Perris, CA. Saturday Morning and saw crowds of people, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and Riverside County Fire Department, then just know there's no need for alarm. That was just the First Annual Monument Park Community Neighborhood Watch Eat, Meet, and Greet. Vendors from around the community set up booths to showcase their wares, while organizers sold raffle tickets for door prizes. There was a food court with a pancake breakfast, and even a bounce house for the kids. Firefighters were on scene to take kids and parents on a tour of the fire engine, and the Sheriff's Department was there to show support for the community watch program.

Jennifer standing with the Usborne Books Display 

Among the vendors was a friend and supporter of Man About Menifee, my wife Jennifer Baker with products from Usborne Books and More found at www.LOLBookstore.com She was featuring books and educational toys for parents looking to help keep their children mentally stimulated for the summer. With books and toys ranging from birth to young adult and from traditional books to internet linked, she certainly got lots of attention. Proceeds from the raffle tickets, breakfast and vendor entry slots went to benefit the Monument Park Community Neighborhood Watch.

It was a good turnout. Everyone was glad the weather cooperated.

A Food Court for the hungry patrons

Curious kids learning about the firefighter's gear and ride.

What kid doesn't love a bounce house?

3 Peaks Cub Scout Day Camp Comes to a Close

Photos and Story by David Baker

This week, as with many years in the past, local Cub Scouts descended upon the Orange Empire Railway Museum and participated in the California Inland Empire Council 3 Peaks District's Day Camp. It was a fun week of B.B. Guns, Archery, Leave No Trace training, a variety of arts and crafts, as well as some historical education about the trains, and of course Waterball (like baseball but more wet - kids have to stay cool in this heat somehow).

The theme this year was Wild Wild West and the boys had a blast singing songs and acting out skits in relation to the theme. For the closing ceremonies the boys were treated to a color guard ceremony performed by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Mounted Posse and a brief presentation from Corporal Cadenhead from the Department. Afterwards the boys got to approach and pet the horses and ask the riders questions. 

Next on the agenda was a real train ride on one of the trains for the boys, their sibling tag-a-longs and parents. The trains at the museum have been featured in many Hollywood movies including The Changeling starring Angelina Jolie.

After a short ride around Perris the campers returned to the picnic area for some pizza and refreshments. The Camp Director Nichole Horsley presented some final awards, gave a short thank you speech to the crowd assembled and officially declared the camp to be closed.

On their way out many parents and leaders approached Nichole and congratulated her on a job well done, and frankly I have to second that opinion. The kids had fun, and hopefully came out of it with a greater sense of history. Nichole has volunteered at the camp for the last 5 years, the last three she has been the official Camp Director.

For their friends that live, work or go to school in Perris, the Railway Museum will be giving out free train rides Saturday, July 18th from 10am to 4pm.

If you were at the Daycamp and want to share your story and pictures, please email them to ManAboutMenifee@gmail.com

For more information on how to join scouting visit www.BeAScout.org



Neither the BSA nor the Orange Empire Railway Museum are sponsors of Man About Menifee. They are just good people doing good things. By sending us your picture or story you are giving us permission to post it.

Hometown Hero Homecoming: TSgt Daniel Madden USAF

Written by David Baker

Photos by Jennifer Baker

Today I had the distinct pleasure of being invited along on one local family's trek to welcome home a husband and father after being deployed overseas in the Middle East.

My wife, Jennifer, and I first met Jody Madden through our community Facebook group. One of her neighbors proposed decorating the whole block for Daniel's return.  Someone else suggested a cookout with hotdogs and lemonade. Eventually this became known as Project Welcome Home.

And I thought my four were a handful

To say that Jody had her hands full while Daniel was away is an understatement. You see she is pregnant with their eighth child. You read that right. They have seven children with one on the way. The oldest is Devan, he is 14, then there is Adele who is about to turn 9, Ginger and Giselle are their 7 year old twins, Benjamin is 5, Silas is 3, and Fletcher is 15 months old. As if her hands weren't full enough, she home-schools them. To their credit the kids are extremely well behaved, with the older kids lending a hand with the younger ones.

"This deployment was one of the hardest, despite the fact that he was only gone for two months," she said. "Two of the kids and I had trips to the Emergency Room, and my husband accidentally took the iPad that had all of my son's college text books on it." 

Devan - a real-life Doogie Howser

When we arrived at March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley I had a chance to talk to Devan a little more. He definitely has the confidence and vocabulary of someone many years older. I asked him about being in college at such a young age. "I graduated from High School when I was thirteen. I plan to graduate from college by the time I'm 18."  His mom later told me he takes music classes at the college, but is working on an engineering degree.  When I congratulated him on his achievement he said, "It's easy. You don't have to be smart. You just have to know what to do and when to do it." I've worked with the Boy Scouts of America for many years and I can't remember the last time I spoke to a 14 year old who could convey himself in such a grown-up way.

Waiting for Daddy

As we we walked onto the tarmac, one of the officers from the Base pointed to a plane taxiing in and told us that was the one we were here for. We walked up and waited patiently for the Customs Agent to finish checking in the plane. Then the service men and women began to exit the plane. Soon the kids all started to squeal "Daddy!" and "There he is!" He came down the steps and it was hugs all around. At one point he turned at walked back towards the plane to help unload some of the larger duffel bags. When the younger kids looked confused Devan said "He's going back on deployment. This was just a quick visit." Of course Jody squashed that idea quickly, saying "He'll be right back." I was impressed that there was a normal teenage brother hidden inside this prodigy after all.

Greeting the neighbors for Project Welcome Home

After giving the family a quick tour of the plane we got on a shuttle back to the Base. No one said a word to Daniel about what was waiting for him back home, so he was pleasantly surprised when we got home. Even Jody hadn't seen the full extent of the decorating done by the neighbors before we left for the Base. Several members of the Heritage Lake Lions Club showed up as well as many from around the community. There was laughter and gratitude all around. One neighbor even made a souvenir quilt for them. I asked Devan how he felt about no longer being the man of the house. He raised his arms and said "Hallelujah!"

Welcome home Technical Sargeant Daniel Madden